I liked this better than the his first book, but still, there is something about his writing that I don't care for. Not that I can put my finger on itI liked this better than the his first book, but still, there is something about his writing that I don't care for. Not that I can put my finger on it exactly, but there is something that makes what should be a basic storyline confusing. There were times that I was going along just fine and then suddenly I had no clue exactly what was going on, who was still in the scene be described, how we got there, etc....more
This book is wonderfully eccentric and weird! The characters are so odd, but are all so oddly endearing. The slapstick, irreverent unbelieveability ofThis book is wonderfully eccentric and weird! The characters are so odd, but are all so oddly endearing. The slapstick, irreverent unbelieveability of the story and antics (especially Ignatius) kept me enthralled and wondering what was next.
The fact that this book was written, hidden away, and then released posthumously is kind of amazing as well. It is hard to believe this book sat hidden for years - the product of a troubled yet creative mind - only to be found by his mother and sent to a publisher for review. She could have easily tossed it, ignored it, etc. - it is a good thing she didn't!
I listened to this book and I think it added to it even more. The reader did a great job and I felt like I was listening to a radio comedy the whole way through. If you like audiobooks, I think you are doing yourself a disservice if you miss this one....more
Contrary to popular opinion, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I think what made this book tough for people is that it is the sequel to a classic that Contrary to popular opinion, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I think what made this book tough for people is that it is the sequel to a classic that we have had over 50 years to appreciate. Over 50 years to get used to. Over 50 years to fall in love with.
I think most of us picture Atticus as Gregory Peck defending his neighborhood from rabid dogs, defending the oppressed, and being the patriarch of a single parent household. When that truth becomes so ingrained in us, it is hard for us to accept something different, but that is exactly what Go Set A Watchman does.
While To Kill A Mockingbird was about looking at the injustices of the world through innocent eyes, Watchman is about growing up, realizing the truth, and trying to accept difficult realities. For some readers, accepting the world of Atticus and Scout as anything less than perfect is difficult, but I like that Harper Lee took the risk.
I think that if these books had come out a couple of years apart, there would be less complaining about new revelations. Readers would not have had a chance to settle in. New storylines likely would have been accepted as canon instead of unusual deviations.
I recommend that fans of Mockingbird give this a try, just be prepared for a different kind of Maycomb....more
I was pleasantly surprised about how good this book was. The story was unique and interesting. The characters were fun to get to know; and it was fascI was pleasantly surprised about how good this book was. The story was unique and interesting. The characters were fun to get to know; and it was fascinating to get drawn into their obsession. The climax of the book was thrilling and brought everything to a satisfying conclusion.
Also, the tie-ins to Mr. Mercedes were interesting, including (view spoiler)[ a cliffhanger for the next novel (hide spoiler)]. While it was good to see Bill, Holly, and Jerome again, and while they did play a part in the events, they kind of seemed forced into the story. It was as if King thought, "I have this great idea for a book, how can I make it the second one in the Hodges trilogy?". But, this did not take away from the book....more
Some good stories here taking place in Wyoming, the Rockies, or at least featuring people from the Rockies. I have read lots of CJ Box novels and was Some good stories here taking place in Wyoming, the Rockies, or at least featuring people from the Rockies. I have read lots of CJ Box novels and was excited to see that he compiled some of his shorter works. I think this book would serve as a good introduction to those wondering whether you might be into his writing.
My favorites from this book: One-Car Bridge, Pronghorns of the Third Reich, and Shots Fired: A Requiem for Ander Esti....more
This book had some great suspenseful scenes, twisted baddies, and supernatural mayhem. However, the flow was odd and it was a case where, even though This book had some great suspenseful scenes, twisted baddies, and supernatural mayhem. However, the flow was odd and it was a case where, even though the author has the right to make up whatever they want, sometimes it just seemed way too out there to feel "right". I am not sure that makes sense, but an easier way to put it is that the book did not come together for me in a comfortable fashion and the resolution seemed conveniently simple - he even points out in the book it is a Deus Ex Machina resolution....more
A bit of Firestarter by Stephen King. A bit of Runner by Patrick Lee. A tragic plane accident turns into something so much more. Koontz takes you on aA bit of Firestarter by Stephen King. A bit of Runner by Patrick Lee. A tragic plane accident turns into something so much more. Koontz takes you on a bizarre spiritual adventure questioning our mortality, destiny, and how far some might go to keep that knowledge/power for themselves and use it for evil.
While this story is packed with action and conspiracy, it will most likely leave you asking a lot of "What if?" questions about life as well....more
I tried to enjoy it! I swear I did! The hype told me that I had to!
I wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. I never really cared about the story and I tried to enjoy it! I swear I did! The hype told me that I had to!
I wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. I never really cared about the story and ALL of the characters were unlikeable. Sometimes characters are unlikeable in a good way, but not this time.
At no point was I excited to be reading this.
Side note added 4/5/2017: Kinda silly how “Girl” is in so many titles lately. It has to be intentional to ride the coattails of other successful titles. I noticed on my library site that there is another popular checkout called Girl on a Train - I wonder how many people thought they were getting the other one!
Update 4/14/2018 - Dropped from two to one star because renewed interesting in my review due to a suggested grammar correction reminded me how much I didn't like this book - so I couldn't stick with two stars....more
I am glad this was a satisfying conclusion to this series (I sometimes wondered if it would be satisfying in the end). As a whole, this series had manI am glad this was a satisfying conclusion to this series (I sometimes wondered if it would be satisfying in the end). As a whole, this series had many highs and many lows. In the end, I was pleased with the resolution.
Son was divided into 3 books - here is a quick review of each:
Book 1 - 5 stars This was an interesting return to the world of The Giver. I was very drawn in by Clare's story and her yearning for her son - I think having kids myself helped me connect to this part.
Book 2 - 2 Stars Filler - this was the longest and most boring part of the book. It does tie the beginning to the end, but it was a painfully boring transition.
Book 3 - 4 Stars A good ending tying all of the previous storylines from all the books together. I wondered several times throughout the series if we would get where everything interconnected, but this was it.
If you have read the previous three, you should read this one (if you can make it through the middle!)...more
A very interesting look into a religious group I knew existed, but that I know very little about. I kept having a hard time remembering this was takinA very interesting look into a religious group I knew existed, but that I know very little about. I kept having a hard time remembering this was taking place recently and not in the late 1800s, early 1900s and the conditions described sound historical.
I did think the end was a but rushed. As soon as the author reaches her epiphany, the story is over in a few pages. I suppose maybe there was just not much more to tell....more
This was good - not quite as tight of a story as Relic, but I enjoyed the whole thing. It is fun to read (or in this case, listen to) another story wiThis was good - not quite as tight of a story as Relic, but I enjoyed the whole thing. It is fun to read (or in this case, listen to) another story with the same characters to see how they grow and change. It starts to make you wonder how far the author will be willing to go with characters you have come to know well . . ....more
This was enjoyable, suspensful, and dark. Koontz even says in the afterward that it was not necessarily his best work, but he was hoping for a page tuThis was enjoyable, suspensful, and dark. Koontz even says in the afterward that it was not necessarily his best work, but he was hoping for a page turner - so he succeeded!...more
This book has me torn. It does have a lot of in depth research and it makes a lot of interesting points. But, it demonizes some businesses and [image]
This book has me torn. It does have a lot of in depth research and it makes a lot of interesting points. But, it demonizes some businesses and foods that I don't necessarily feel deserve it. I love food and I know some of it is bad for me (just like when I used to smoke - I knew it was bad for me the whole time). But, it was my choice and I was not kidding myself that I was doing my body justice. I like fast food and junk food, but I try and eat it in moderation and I exercise when I can. I know that the focus in this book is on people with kids who do not make smart choices and the businesses that take advantage of that. But, I think it is harsh to attack a business for trying to improve sales. Sometimes making food better means adding salt, sugar, and/or fat, but what can you do - it’s what people want!
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So, while I didn't completely dislike this book - I think it was very one sided. Also, I am not sure that very many of the people this book would need to reach (i.e. people who eat fast food 3 meals a day and snacks the rest of the time) are going to end up reading this book and changing their ways. 400 repetitious pages is a hard way to make a point like this one – I have a hard enough time getting people to read short e-mails.
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All this book made me want to do is eat more food!
Update 5/27/2016 - Just noticed that I forgot to mention this is a Scott Brick audio - that made the experience worth it!...more
This book was AMAZING! I can see how some may be intimidated by its size, but it was worth every single word. Michener is quite a story teller; he doeThis book was AMAZING! I can see how some may be intimidated by its size, but it was worth every single word. Michener is quite a story teller; he does it with fantastic narrative and great descriptive prose. You would think that with a book this size he would spend a lot of extra time describing things, but he doesn't - it is the perfect amount, no filler!
Also, even though this book was written in the 70s, I think the parts toward then end dealing with "modern day" Colorado translate well to 2015.
If you like a great story, with detailed history, wonderful characters, etc. etc. etc. give this one a try - I do not think you will be disappointed....more
This book was 10% story and 90% daily life of the ice age man.
Of that 90%, half of it is references to and descriptions of sex and sex organs - and iThis book was 10% story and 90% daily life of the ice age man.
Of that 90%, half of it is references to and descriptions of sex and sex organs - and it doesn't seem to have a point. I can understand trying to tell a story and make it is realistic as possible (in this case I would assume a lot of guess work based on research), and in doing so, adding some everyday personality to it so it is not too dry. But for this author, sex seemed to be number one "personality" additive. (example: there are a lot of trips to a cave in this book and you can only imagine how it is described - yes, let your mind go to the gutter . . .)
Also, it can be inferred that cavemen did not speak English (unless they were Geico cavemen!), but I found the added slang anachronisms kind of distracting. There was a lot of f-words and s-words, and while I am sure that ancient man probably cussed, it just felt weird here. (example: at one point a character says "I painted the f-ing cave" or something like that . . . just odd). Also, there is a character that says "Mamma Mia" several times . . . Italian cavemen?
So, if you are really into prehistoric fiction, then you would probably like this book. If you are into Fifty Shades of Grey and always wished that it had been set in prehistoric times instead - give this one a go. Other than that . . . feel free to move on to another book!...more
Pretty decent first part of a dystopian tale. I am excited to see what happens in part 2.
I was skeptical because there has been a lot of dystopian YA Pretty decent first part of a dystopian tale. I am excited to see what happens in part 2.
I was skeptical because there has been a lot of dystopian YA lately, so I feared the genre might be getting a bit diluted. But, this was a unique and interesting take that didn't feel like a rehashing of the same story.
(Note: I originally rated this 4 stars. After reading the rest of the series, it made me like this book less. )...more
I had high hopes for this based on the description, but the summary was way better than the actual book. Too many foot notes, too much rambling sciencI had high hopes for this based on the description, but the summary was way better than the actual book. Too many foot notes, too much rambling science, too much bizarre philosophy, too many coincidences, too many unbelievable storylines. I mean, sci-fi is supposed to be about science and unusual space-based storylines, but it just didn't work here. Also, all the narrator chapters rambled on and broke up the pace of the story.
I would have a hard time recommending this to anyone....more